PCB Pirates eye bright future

Published: Monday, January 14, 2013 at 01:55 PM.

PANAMA CITY BEACH -- Greg Devito expects only a handful of players to return to the Panama City Beach Pirates men's soccer team this year.

It's another sign that Devito and the Pirates are headed in the right direction.

The team is hosting open tryouts this weekend at Pete Edwards Field, and Devito noted that his primary job as the program's head coach is to develop players and help them advance their professional careers. The Pirates, after all, do play in the Premier Development League.

"The goal is to promote them to the next level," Devito said.

Team co-owner Jill Holt said three players from last year's team -- goalkeeper Jeremy Crumpton and forwards Corey Adamson and Tyler Witmer -- have moved on to other teams. She said several more players are in Tampa trying out to move up from the PDL to the United Soccer League's Pro division.

Crumpton is competing for a job with Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer. Adamson is vying for a position with the Las Vegas Legends of the Professional Arena Soccer League. Witmer now is playing for the Harrisburg City Islanders of the Major Indoor Soccer League.

The Pirates will host another open tryout Feb. 9-10 at Pete Edwards Field. There is a $50 fee to participate.

PANAMA CITY BEACH -- Greg Devito expects only a handful of players to return to the Panama City Beach Pirates men's soccer team this year.

It's another sign that Devito and the Pirates are headed in the right direction.

The team is hosting open tryouts this weekend at Pete Edwards Field, and Devito noted that his primary job as the program's head coach is to develop players and help them advance their professional careers. The Pirates, after all, do play in the Premier Development League.

"The goal is to promote them to the next level," Devito said.

Team co-owner Jill Holt said three players from last year's team -- goalkeeper Jeremy Crumpton and forwards Corey Adamson and Tyler Witmer -- have moved on to other teams. She said several more players are in Tampa trying out to move up from the PDL to the United Soccer League's Pro division.

Crumpton is competing for a job with Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer. Adamson is vying for a position with the Las Vegas Legends of the Professional Arena Soccer League. Witmer now is playing for the Harrisburg City Islanders of the Major Indoor Soccer League.

The Pirates will host another open tryout Feb. 9-10 at Pete Edwards Field. There is a $50 fee to participate.

Devito said he expected 30-40 players this weekend, and he'll evaluate players at the team's two tryouts and at the USL Pro Combine set for Jan. 24-27 in Bradenton to formulate much of his roster.

"It will lay out a good majority of the roster, but I'm still networking with college coaches and even with MLS coaches about players being released," Devito said.

The Pirates remained in contention for a Southeast Division title until the season's final weekend, ultimately finishing 6-7-3 overall in their first season. Holt noted that PCB finished the 2012 season with the highest attendance figures of any team in the division. The Pirates are active in the community, and Devito said that finding players who embrace what the organization is trying to accomplish in the community is important.

"We're looking for players who can compete at the PDL level and fit the playing philosophy we have," Devito said. "They'll be good players with character."